Due to a cruel obsession with torture, stress, and unnecessary complexity, Emily and Dan have decided to suffer through the bitter cold of North western China and the pain of cycling through southeast Asia before returning home and trying to rebuild a life in recession-plagued USA.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Day 2, February 4th, 2011 - Zhongdong to Changming, China

Written by Dan

Originally we planned to take a steep shortcut over the mountain between Zhongdong and Changming but we were told the road was too hairy and we would have to carry our heavy bikes over many sections, so we opted to stay on the paved road and go around the mountain. We were rewarded for the detour with beautiful scenery. At night we found no hotel so were were welcomed by a lovely family in their VERY old home. We ate directly out of a boiling pot of water a fresh fish, pork, and vegetables. At night we slept in the house with only the grandmother while the men, her sons, slept at friends houses. Emily stayed up all night in terror watching the many rats crawl all over our stuff, the food, the walls, and the headboard on the bed above our heads.